Even More Bad News About Shady Short-Term Insurance Plans That Rosendale Supports

Helena – A new independent federal study found that a new proposal pushing short-term health insurance policies, which cover much less than policies under the health care law, will cost the government more than the government previously estimated and “could increase federal spending by $1.2 billion next year and by a total of $38.7 billion over 10 years.”

“Those remaining in Affordable Care Act marketplaces ‘would be relatively less healthy,’ Mr. Spitalnic said, and as a result, the average premiums for those insurance policies would increase.”

“…the new short-term plans would also offer less protection to consumers.”

“…a new study by the Kaiser Family Foundation says that many short-term insurance plans do not cover prescription drugs outside the hospital, leaving consumers to pay the bills.”

Under the current health care system, the most popular plans “cover 70 percent of health care costs for a typical population. By contrast, Mr. Spitalnic said, the new short-term plans would cover 50 percent of costs, on average.”

“Short-term plans can exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions and can omit some benefits deemed essential in the Affordable Care Act.”

“…some short-term plans offered by UnitedHealth Group do not provide prescription drug coverage and do not pay expenses related to a normal pregnancy or the treatment of mental disorders…”

“Another insurer, National General, says in a brochure that its short-term medical plans may not cover outpatient prescription drugs, normal pregnancy or childbirth, routine well-baby care or costs resulting from a pre-existing condition.”